Feminism: chat
better role model than Elsa...
bytheby · 03/03/2022 15:38
Hi, I haven't watched lots of films with my 4 year old but can anyone recommend films (and books but we have less of a gap there) with a female lead that isn't ridiculously beautiful.
Ideally a character that loves to read!
I was excited about Encanto but rather than wanting to be the lead (Mirabel?) she wants to be the more conventionally beautiful sister Isabella!
I am sure it is just a phase and I am not overly worried but would like to stick her in front of some things that are a bit less princessy as she is more concerned with appearances than I would like.
I know that Elsa etc does have some good features it is just my DD's pre-occupation with beauty that is making me want to make sure there are some more normal/realistic looking people in the mix too.
Or should I just 'let it go?'
Henryscup · 03/03/2022 16:47
I love Moana. I was having a bit of a breakdown/depressive episode when I saw it and the scene where she faces the monster at the end made me bawl my eyes out.
I also like Moana because it shows that you can be a hero and save the day by being kind and understanding, not just through physical strength and fighting.
At the end of the day, your child will like who they like. You can't control who their favourite is. Especially not at 4!
GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 03/03/2022 17:00
@rbe78
Watched this with my DD when she was about 4, and she complained bitterly about Princess Fiona not being pretty anymore!
But she's 10 now, and couldn't give a stuff about appearances - her own or anyone else's.
Outwiththenorm · 03/03/2022 17:05
Good suggestions! I’m similarly struggling to find films for 3-4 year olds where I don’t have to explain that the main male character was originally ‘naughty’ (an arsehole) but by the end of the film is nice 
It’s so rare for the female characters to make that transformation (maybe Lilo excepted) and I don’t want my DC thinking that all arsehole men are really nice underneath.
BellatrixOnABadDay · 03/03/2022 17:07
@Henryscup
I also like Moana because it shows that you can be a hero and save the day by being kind and understanding, not just through physical strength and fighting.
At the end of the day, your child will like who they like. You can't control who their favourite is. Especially not at 4!
You aren't the only one, I watched it a lot with my kids the summer before my gran died and then not long after as well, all the bits with her gran had me in floods of tears and then when she faces te ka (sp?) near the end it set me off too!
It's a brilliant film, probably my favourite Disney film.
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